NEW PODIUM AT BAKERSFIELD SATURDAY?

The USAC West Coast Sprint Cars return to Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway Saturday night and three drivers will try to make sure the podium resembles the previous two outings at the 3/8-mile dirt oval so far this year.

Ryan Bernal, Bud Kaeding and Richard Vander Weerd claimed the podium spots on both occasions but series point leader Danny Faria Jr., with a fourth and a seventh in his two Bakersfield starts, hopes to change that Saturday.

Bernal and Vander Weerd switched victories and runner-up finishes in the March and April races, while Kaeding was third in both. Bernal trails Faria in the latest standings by 21 points, with Kaeding 45 out of the lead and Vander Weerd seven behind Kaeding.

Bernal is coming off his two worst showings in the 2013 series, a fifth and 21st in his last two outings after recording nine straight podiums to start the season. He has five wins, compared to Vander Weerd’s four. Kaeding is seeking his first this year, while Faria’s first came in the most recent race at Hanford.